News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | December 21, 2025
Leonard chosen as New Kent Public Schools ‘Teacher of the Year’
New Kent County Public schools announced their 2027 Teachers of the Year, with George Watkins Elementary School teacher Amy Leonard being recognized as the Division Teacher of the Year. Leonard, a second-grade teacher at George Watkins Elementary School, has more than 31 schools of service to New Kent County Public Schools. She has inspired generations of students through her patient, kind, and inclusive approach to teaching. Leonard was praised by her peers for being an invaluable leader with the school community, a mentor to new teachers, and a collaborative partner who consistently elevates instructional practice. “Ms. Leonard embodied the very…
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Charles City Public Schools announce full accreditation
Charles City County Public Schools have announced that it is now fully accredited. The announcement came at Tuesday night’s school board meeting from Charles City Superintendent of Schools Katina Otey. Otey commented the under the new metrics along with the school’s steps to improve, the new measure of success will allow families and educators to understand how schools are performing. It is the first time in nearly five years that both Charles City Elementary School and Charles City High School have met the metric for full accreditation.
New Kent’s defense stymies York in Bay Rivers rout
New Kent’s Lady Trojans used a huge game-opening run to continue their winning streak. The Lady Trojans upended the visiting York Lady Falcons 49-18 in the Dec. 15 Bay Rivers District matchup. New Kent started the game on a 13-1 run. The duo of Anna Hetzel and Vyktorya Otey combined for 16 points in the first quarter, allowing the hosts to take the lead. The story of the game was defense of the Lady Trojans. In the first quarter, the hosts buckled down on York, only allowing five points. That defense got even stiffer in the second quarter, as New…
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Colonial Downs announces historic 48-day racing season
Colonial Downs will shift to a 48-day live thoroughbred racing season for the 2026 race season, the most at the racetrack in the facility’s 30-year history. Live racing will kick off with the Virginia Derby on Mar. 12-14, which serves as an automatic qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. The traditional race season will begin on Thursday, June 25 with race days being Thursdays through Sundays. The season will end on Monday, Sept. 7, on Labor Day.
Virginia Beach man admits to eluding trooper in New Kent County
A Virginia Beach man has stipulated to evidence related to an eluding charge stemming from a brief pursuit in New Kent County. Shaheim Divine Allen, 26, of the 3900 block of Inspiration Arch, stipulated evidence of the pursuit during Monday morning proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. While Allen admitted guilt to the eluding charge, he is challenging the felony and believes it was a misdemeanor. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Jan. 20, a Virginia State Trooper patrolling Interstate 64 westbound traffic near the 205-mile marker detected a vehicle traveling 96…
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